Cambodia, France Ink Accord to Draft New Legal Codes

PARIS, Sept 15, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and France signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to support the drafting of new legal codes, as the government pushes ahead with reforms to modernise its legal and regulatory framework. Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, chair of Cambodia’s Council of Jurists, inked the accord with Marc Guillaume, vice president of France’s Conseil d’État, during a ceremony in Paris, according to the Office of the Council of Ministers. The Conseil d’État serves as both France’s supreme administrative court and an advisory body reviewing draft laws and regulations. Vissoth said the agreement would strengthen cooperation in legal and institutional reform, including training officials and sharing expertise in administrative law, as Cambodia works on new Administrative and Commercial Codes. He said improving legal analysis and legislative drafting would help protect the rule of law, build public trust and make public authority more transparent and accountable, while supporting business activity. Guillaume described the accord as part of a long‑term framework for cooperation on reform, administrative modernisation and capacity building. Vissoth pledged to translate the agreement into concrete outcomes, particularly through knowledge‑sharing with members of the Conseil d’État to build capacity at Cambodia’s Council of Jurists, its Legal Reform Steering Committee and government ministries. Following the signing, Vissoth held a working meeting with Guillaume and toured the Conseil d’État’s offices to study its procedures for reviewing draft legislation and its role as France’s supreme administrative court. The accord adds to a series of governance measures highlighted this month, including a memorandum between Cambodia’s Chamber of Commerce and the Anti‑Corruption Unit.